Let’s take a look at some lessons the Avalanche can learn from the teams still in the playoffs:

From LA - The Avs can learn that a big, shakeup trade or two can sometimes, you know, work to shake things up in a positive way. The current Avalanche philosophy is to hold on to its young “assets” as best they can, and in no way, shape or form trade them away for older, costlier veterans.

But the Kings did that this year. They sent Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn to Philly for Mike Richards. They sent Jack Johnson to Columbus for Jeff Carter. Simmonds, Schenn and Johnson were supposed to be key, young building blocks for the future. But the guys they got in return are playing in the Western Conference finals, and really leading the way with their veteran presence.

We know the Avs made to pretty big trades last year, with getting Erik Johnson and Semyon Varlamov. But they have been deathly afraid of doing what LA did – give up some youth for higher-priced veteran talent, to maybe, you know, win NOW.

NY Rangers - From New York, the Avs can learn that getting a really high-priced guy on the free agent market isn’t always a bad thing. Brad Richards has been the Rangers’ best player in the playoffs, other than their goalie. Do you always get what you pay for in free agency? No. But the odds are usually high you’ll get something pretty good eventually.

NJ Devils - From the high dollar, free-agent lesson above, you can add Ilya Kovalchuk’s name. He has been a top player in these playoffs. From the Devils, the Avs can also learn the value of adding a few middle range free agent guys to add to the mix, or acquiring them in trades. New Jersey isn’t just the homegrown team of years past. Spending money on the open market has helped get them back to a final four position.

Phoenix Coyotes - I’m a Joe Sacco guy, but one thing we can learn from Phoenix is the value of a great coach. Phoenix’s roster is in no, way, shape or form better or more talented than that of the Avs. But when a team has a great system, where players all know their roles, great things can happen. That’s what Dave Tippett has done in Phoenix. The fact he’s done it with all kinds of distractions about ownership and possible relocation is even more remarkable.

Get a coach who knows how to build not just a team, but a system, and it doesn’t always matter what the payroll is.